And like her husband before her, the first lady will be visitinga home on Providence's East Side - in her case, the home of JosephR. Paolino Jr., former mayor of Providence and former ambassador toMalta.

Paolino, who lives at 10 Orchard Ave., said Wednesday that thefundraiser will be held on Sept. 30, beginning at about 4:30p.m.

Tickets will start at $1,000 and "go all the way up to$38,500."

"That's the limit," he said.

Paolino said the event was arranged through contacts he andformer state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Weiner maintain withthe Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

"I was with President Obama in Washington on Monday night withabout 50 other people from throughout the country," Paolino said."He said that he was looking forward to her coming here and usshowing her good Rhode Island hospitality."

Paolino declined to put a number on the fundraising goal butsaid organizers hope to raise "hundreds of thousands" of dollars.Among the incentives for those who attend: Putting down at least$5,000 means you can have your picture taken with Mrs. Obama.

Proceeds will go to the Obama Victory Fund, a committeeauthorized to receive and spend money on behalf of Mr. Obama'scandidacy.

Paolino, long a prominent figure in Democratic circles, is nostranger to famous guests. Past visitors include President BillClinton, former First Lady Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore, who wasthe wife of former Vice President Al Gore.

And President Obama came to the neighborhood last October,wrapping up a 4½-hour visit to the state with a fundraiserat a house across the street. That was the day that then-Democraticgubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio, frustrated that the presidenthad not endorsed him, made his infamous statement that Mr. Obama"could take his endorsement and really shove it." Caprio later saidhe wished he had "chosen different language" to express isdisappointment.

Paolino, who served his ambassadorship under President Clinton,said several of Rhode Island's elected officials have alreadyexpressed interest in the Sept. 30 event, including GovernorChafee, House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and the four members of thestate's congressional delegation. He also said anyone who wouldlike to help with the event can call him at Paolino Properties, areal estate firm located in Providence.

The Obama for America reelection campaign did not respond byJournal deadline to an inquiry about the event.

(Correction: An earlier version of this report misidentified thelocation of the fundraiser.)